Menorise; Saturday Sayings

"You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind."

(Joyce Meyer) 

Menolibrikul; E-book Reviews; Part Four

I need to have these reviews done within June - so please forgive another back to back with yesterday's post. I really swithered over this one, though. In some ways, this is as much about me as it is about the ebook under review. Why?

For fifteen years prior to departing Australia for India, I was in practice as a homoeopathic physician and counsellor, having spent six years qualifying. I also qualified as a nutritionist and remedial therapist (sports medicine, massage etc.) Having medical training then specialising in ancillary therapeutics came about due to my own health needs. I had been suffering under orthodox treatments (or the lack of sufficient ability therein to properly help). For Rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed at 18years), all that could be offered were megadoses of drugs that had very negative effects on my overall system. For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome... well, that's been written before. My point here is that despite my own scepticism, I was directed along the path of natural treatments. 

There is no question my life has followed the route less travelled. It is not the most comfortable place to be, practising in a medical form that is often criticised and sometimes most venomously. The same can be said for the spiritual path. One has to bear with this, however. Mostly it arises out of ignorance because you can be sure that, quite often, the loudest critics are those who have never actually delved into and experienced for themselves. So sure are they that there cannot exist any alternative to the route they have chosen.

Enough of that. What sparked such an introduction today? I need to make clear, I suppose, that I have a logical and highly analytical approach to things, albeit there is also a strongly intuitive part to my nature. Despite the constant barrage of vitriol often directed toward homoeopathy, it has done nothing but serve me well, and I stand by my trust and practice in this field of medicine. This also establishes that I am qualified fully to critique the "A2Z of Common Diseases & Their Homoeopathic Treatment" by Surbhi Prapanna. It also demonstrates why I have had a bit of a dilemma, given that I am pro-homoeopathy...

Yes, I have been a bit torn in approaching the review. This is partly because the way this item has been presented raises a question: is it a textbook or intended purely for home use by a layperson? While each of these may well have been fine as blog posts for the A-Z during April, I found myself debating whether there was a need for yet another book of this type. (So many available...) Regardless of whether serious text or practical home treatment advice, there are already so many such volumes, that it would have to have been outstanding and truly original to extract decent praise. It is neither of these things. 

Why then am I bothering here? I could just leave it alone and the author would not be faced with this criticism. I certainly am not one who would want to cause insult or harm - but the book has been put out there and, what is more, reviews already done are heaping five stars upon it. 

Let me start with the positives, then. What those other readers were praising, I have to imagine, and certainly what I cannot and will not fault, is the choice of remedies written up for each of the ailments under discussion. Homoeopathically, I would say it was sound. There is also plenty of mention that in any situation that extends, medical advice must definitely be sought. If the author practices as she prescribes here, then I feel she may be rather a good homoeopath. 

My concerns about the book, however, were quickly raised when I saw the layout and the amount of medical information that was attempted. Somehow it seemed too much and too technical for a home prescriber. Mostly correct (I am not going to go into medical battle here - but there are some quite startling statements that are misrepresentative [see left for example**]), it really was quite dense - and yet was also not of a standard that one would expect of a full textbook. This is why I had trouble formulating in my head where this item really falls. Then again, in this age of people researching online and everyone becoming their own 'expert', why should I worry, for there was nothing here that could not be found anyway in some other source.

Which is where the real question arises... what does this book offer that is not already available? There is no original take on any of the medicines or personal research.

Then there is the production. The thing that has impressed me greatly with other books from this "carnival" is the command of English the authors have had. I fear this author falls sub-par. Please do not take this to mean it cannot be read. It is just that it could do with thorough editing and proofreading. The use of language is very much of the type I grew used to in India, and am fond of listening to - however, this is not a book that should be anything short of perfect in this regard; whether or not it is for home or professional use. At the end of the A-Z, there is a section that seeks to clarify and reiterate about what can and cannot be achieved at home plus some very 'down back' examples of personal matters which seemed wholly out of place, or at least out of a different book... Somehow this book really does fall between two camps and needs to be clarified if it is to be taken any further.

There was a post on Thursday on Blogchatter's own blog which was encouraging all participants in the carnival to think on about how they might proceed to the next level with their books - that is to say, produce them for publication on platforms such as the rather obvious Amazon and suchlike. It was a brief but sensible post that pointed out that authors ought to take on the less glowing comments (such as just provided) and use them to grind the diamond hiding in their lump of coal. 

I could have chosen not to post this review but if the author really wishes to add to the large library of books on this subject, she needs to know there is much room for improvement. As it is, and given that there are some who clearly feel they will benefit from it judging by the reviews mentioned, it has served a purpose. 

Professionally, I do find myself struggling with encouraging self-diagnosis and home medication - even with "powerless potency".

**Okay, someone's bound to ask: post-partum depression is endemic to the mother due to hormonal derangement, and does not have external causative factors. It may be that due to being under the influence of PPD, the mother copes less well with a baby crying from such as colic. Shaken-baby Syndrome is not 'caused' by colic. It results from a variety of causes affecting the parent/s, whose coping mechanisms result in their being harsh with their child - it is an expression of anger and frustration on their part. Colic may or may not have caused the baby to cry, but does not in itself 'cause' SbS. PPD and SbS are not 'complications of colic', therefore - although a baby crying with colic may find itself the target of frustration arising from PPD, or other mental disturbances in either parent, leading to SbS.

Okay all you funsters - YAM's regular FFF is up again next week (another quick month, eh?)

Pick one of your pictures and write its story - real or otherwise!

Menolibrikul; E-Book Reviews, Part Three

Today, I bring you once again two reviews in one post... just because I can...

As one who aspires to write poetry in various forms, I am also keen to see how others express through this medium. I confess I might not have naturally gravitated toward this particular collection had it not been recommended highly by two other bloggers I respect. It does not disappoint.

One reason I might have overlooked it is the title. There is a tendency in me to avoid overtly feminist items - not because I don't believe there is a need to be heard; I just find that much in that area is strident and prone to be as problematic as any chauvinism. But, let me reassure you, this is NOT the case with Huma's writing. Definitely, she makes clear the issues which still plague 50% of the population but does so with sensitivity and clarity without sounding battle cries and chest-thumping. Also, despite the title, it is really only the first part that is specific to "She." The remaining three ("Dilemma", "Inspired", and "Random Thoughts") cover much wider territory. All arise from the experience of recent times, politically and pandemically. 

Easily and quickly read, I found myself re-reading in particular, Her Voice, Strong Is The New Beautiful, Sin, and Reach.

The layout and presentation is eye poetry also. Gorgeously segmented with a unifying blue, each section has its own colour in addition. Images are delicately imposing, and each poem has a perspective comment preceding it. 

If you enjoy short, sharp writing and seeing through another's eyes, then I do recommend this to you. You can download it from Blogchatter - or if you prefer not to sign up there, request the PDF from me.

For my second choice today, let me share something rather close to my heart (and stomach!).

Oh my word, it was shameful how I drooled reading these recipes (I have also now followed Shail's blog!!!) Yes, she does use ingredients I would not include, being sattvika, but this does not make them less appealing, and I readily adapt. There are also ingredients unavailable to me now in the Scottish West's wilds, but I have also learned what substitutes well over the years. For any of my regular readers who may be unfamiliar with terms or ingredients, just email me, and I'll help out. Truly - you want to have this book!!! A look at the list of recipes will give you an idea why...

Breakfast is the best meal of the day, it is said. Certainly, a good breakfast will see one through the day nicely. The sandwiches in the first section all look and sound drop-dead delicious. 

(I confess I have created my own versions of some of these by dint of experiment anyway, but it is good to see I am not a total lunatic!).

Then in the second section, we get more traditional Indian offerings. Regular readers know that I am a bit of a pancake nut - so I gave these eggless ones a go, and they were very good. 

Any one of you who considers his or herself a foodie - or at least a breakfast buff - really should consider obtaining a copy BREADS & BREAKFAST! Do so from Blogchatter - or, again, request the PDF of me.

I mean, really, how can you resist such as this...???!!!

                   

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Menoizikkul; Midweek Musicalisms

This week's malambo offering adds in the interest of the boleadoras. They are weapons. Lengths of leather at the end of which are either leather-wrapped stones or metal balls. The gauchos use them to hobble cattle, though historically they were actually used as weapons against 'the foe' - whoever that might be on any given day. In the dance, the beating against the ground of the boleadoras adds to the level of percussion produced by the feet ... and the drums. I should mention the drums. The dance has its basis in a time and place when drums would have been about the only instrument - until the Spanish and their guitars arrived. Drumming is very much part of this folk tradition.

Me-Now-Views; Less Speak More Peek

 ...or "Mooning Around"... 

I worked both the Hisstix and the Fudge to see what I could make of the supermoon. Not that much, truth be told, but still, an interesting photographic exercise. I am so badly out of practice! The first two are taken with the H; one on wide-angle looking through the Hutch's window and showing reflection on the waters of the Clyde, and one of Luna with a full stretch of the lens on that handicam. (Note the haze from the humid air.)

Now for a few from the Fudge, which has the stronger lens and with which I played around more on exposures. I took heaps with both units, but have selected only the best. Which tells you how bad the rest were!!!

The Waxing Moon at Midnight Plus

The Lights of Wemyss Bay

On a Clear Night Ten Miles Away... The Lights of Hunterston Peel Port

Full Moon Supertrouper (those are Hunterston lights on the far right)

Wemyss Bay lights and the Supertrouper Reflections

Full Stretch of the Fudge's Lens Removes The Haze

Menoculayshunal; Central Hours

Following Sanskrit class, we had half an hour to return to rooms, refresh and then return to the hall for midday chanting. Mostly this was the Vishnusahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu), but occasionally something different, such as this Sri Ramaraksha Stotram...

At 12:30, the bell would ring for lunch. This was always the fullest meal of the day. Before eating, the entirety of chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita is chanted and then the food prayer. Annakshetra would echo and reverberate with the positive vibes created from the chanting. There developed a cheeky but cheerful competition among the brahmacharis as to who could be first to lead off the chant. The chapter is not actually to do with food - but is essentially a message of realisation and boils down to 'why worry, be happy!'

After eating, everyone goes to the sinks and is responsible for the cleansing of their eating utensils (remember we all carried our own plate, gilass and chammach) and wiping down tables. Then by an hour later, the ashram would develop a sense of stillness as all would return to rooms for at least a couple of hours. 

There were practical reasons for the timing. The early rising (Brahma muhurta - 90 minutes prior to sunrise) is considered the best for meditative contemplation and deeds (think of the English saying, "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise." It is universally recognised!), but is also the coolest part of any day. Then, during the hottest part, and following a full meal, the mind is at its dullest and the body weaker. Thus, the afternoon period was for rest, recreation - and also for cleaning and laundry!

If a 'siesta' was taken, it was best to not extend beyond forty minutes - otherwise true deep sleep enters and rising becomes very difficult. Trust me. I learned this! Only twice did I ever get late for the 4:30 pm class as a result of sleeping. There's no way to keep this to oneself when in an enclosed community...

There was prayaschitta to be performed for any such 'misdemeanour' or indiscipline. That's penance, in case you were wondering. Mostly it took the form of writing out a quote or aphorism, in that rather quaint, Dickensian, line after line manner. Other times it was to learn a shloka as yet unstudied and translate it. Occasionally - and mostly for the young lads who may have strayed a bit more than the girls - there was physical work applied as well. There was always a parental sense of disapproval - with the same little smile and forgiveness to follow.

Chai was generally served in Annakshetra (for those without kettles) at three and then the hour and a half till the next Vedanta class was generally spent doing 'homework'; but there were also times when we would be called upon to perform tasks for a specific function or community seva.

MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

Continuing the presentation of items from a poesie, created thirty-plus years back... this poem I wrote in response to a question from my mother...